{Marriage} 2.2

I love these monthly marriage updates not only because they are a great way for John and I to journal month to month, but also because they are a fun way to keep the Gallivant's amazing readers in the loop about whats going on with us--the nitty gritty version. Thanks for checking in!

Taos, New Mexico

Richey 2.2 Update

Favorite Meals: I was on my own a lot of last month as John was in New Mexico on detachment, so I ate pretty simply. One of my favorite meals was slices of grilled halloumi cheese on top of pink gratefruit and spring mix, with a lemon olive oil vinaigrette. So fresh and yummy.

Favorite Words: Detachment, Roswell

Favorite Snacks: Ricotta, Pink Grapefruits--they are SO good right now!

Favorite TV Shows: Outlander. Have you seen it? Set in the Scottish Highlands, the first installment of Season 1 lays the foundation of the story and introduces all the main characters, namely Jamie and Claire.  I have been reading the books, and was pumped that Amazon had Season One on instant streaming. It is only 8 episodes so far, and most of them were build up and background to the main event which really kicks off the story. 

Currently Reading: Last month I read Drums of Autumn and Where'd You Go Bernadette, (read my review here) and John read Meaning of Marriage (Again--we love it.)

Gallivant: John did some pretty cool exploring last month while he was in Roswell. He and his buddies spent a day checking out the Carlsbad Caverns, and then a few days later they woke up at 3:00 am and drove six hours up to Taos. If you know John than you know that his love for skiing runs deep, and he was thrilled to be able to tackle Taos and spend a day on the slopes. 

Meanwhile in Pensy:  John being away on detachment for most of February was an interesting experience as it as the fist time that he had gone away on any military-related training. Lets be real... three weeks really isn't a long time, especially after dating long distance, but it is a little different when you are married and have gotten used to seeing each other every day. Even though it isn't really comparable of course I couldn't help but think about deployment. Three weeks is nowhere near ten months, but I did have some stuff going on in my family that made me reflect a lot on the fact that things might happen while John is deployed--scary, hard, heartbreaking things-- that he will not be able to be with me for and I will most likely be far from my family at the same time. In a sense I felt like God threw some  situations at me over the past month, (which all ended up being ok, thank goodness) which gave me some helpful perspective. Something I am learning is that it is important for me to be humble and able to ask my friends and loved ones for support when John is away. It is totally ok to say "I need some support right now--can you check up on me?" In a way, these little training trips are like pre-season for the real deal, and although I don't think I could ever be fully prepared, the things that I learned, and that I will continue to learn, are helping us to grow as a couple and work on our communication and strategy in advance of any long absences.

Happy Monday friends, and thanks for stopping by. 

xoxo,

Emily

P.S. This post contains affiliate links. If you click and/or make a purchase through the links I may make a commission, but all opinions are my own :-)

P.S.S. Like what you are reading? Go ahead and subscribe by entering your email address into the form on the left-hand side of this page so that you never miss a post! Or, you can follow me on Bloglovin. Also, follow along with The Gallivant on  pinterest, instagram,  and Twitter!

{Gallivant Reads} Where'd You Go, Bernadette

Although I loved the movie Gone Girl, I avoided the book. I know, I know it was good, but at the time when it was starting to get a lot of attention I wasn't really in the mood for a dark thriller, and there were other things I wanted to read. Recently, when my friend Ax suggested Where'd You Go Bernadette,  I was again a little hesitant  as the premise seemed similar: Suburban house wife mysteriously goes missing, investigation ensues, etc. I decided to go for it, though, and went ahead and downloaded the kindle version. 

I finished it within 24 hours. 

Where'd You Go Bernadette is the perfect mixture of mystery, earnestness, and fun. Told from the view points of both Bernadette Fox and her 8th grade daughter, it is a whimsical study of family relationships, pride, and unrequited dreams, as well as Seatlle-area suburban politics. And boy, is it sharp. Maria Semple had me chuckling throughout, while simultaneously keeping me on the edge up until the end, constantly wondering if the store was about to go dark. I loved every second of it. If you are looking for a great new read to kick off March with than definitely grab Where'd You Go Bernadette. Also, rumour has it that oscar-winning Boyhood director Richard Linklater may direct the movie version. (He also directed Dazed and Confused, one of my all time faves.) John and I watched Boyhood last week and loved it. Next on our watch list is Before Sunrise--have you seen it? I have heard the most amazing things. 

Have you read or watched anything good recently? I would love to hear! 

xoxo,

Emily

P.S. This post contains affiliate links. If you click and/or make a purchase through the links I may make a commission, but all opinions are my own. 

P.S.S. Like what you are reading? Go ahead and subscribe by entering your email address into the form on the left-hand side of this page so that you never miss a post! Or, you can follow me on Bloglovin. Also, follow along with The Gallivant on  pinterest, instagram,  and Twitter!

#TeamTammy

My best friend Danielle and I met our sophomore year of college,  and over the past four years I have had the opportunity to get to know her mom Tammy and have come to love her dearly. She is one of the bravest and brightest women that I know, and has shown me how to love selflessly and sacrificially. A few weeks ago Tammy was diagnosed with Ovarian cancer and headed into emergency surgery in attempt remove the cancer. Danielle writes: 

“Yesterday was a hard day at the hospital. My mom is doing better each minute but the reality of our situation is weighing in and I’d lie if I said we weren’t terrified.

Bear with me as I do my best to explain what we’re up against and where we stand...
The Doctor will meet with us a week from this coming Wednesday. By then, the Doctor will go over the pathology report, explain what came out of it and what type of chemo is best to treat this type of cancer. We will likely be simultaneously doing both Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy as well as Intravenous Chemotherapy. Introparitoneal chemotherapy delivers chemotherapy drugs directly into the abdominal cavity through a catheter and Intravenous (IV) chemotherapy goes directly into a vein and goes directly into your blood and is carried to all areas of the body. This will likely occur a few times a week for 3-4 months.

What does this mean for us financially?
My mom will be out of work for the entirety of the treatments as having both chemos at the same time is very wearing to the body. Since she is not eligible for the Family Leave Act, she will not be having paid leave.”

In a perfect world, people fighting for their lives would not have to worry about money, but unfortunately that is not the case and the burden of finances is weighing heavily on Tammy and her family right now. Friends--the Whitty family is humbly asking for our help, and it is deeply on my heart to meet them in this. It isn't easy to ask for help, especially financially, but the last thing that anyone needs in the midst of the fear and fight against cancer is to worry about money. Will you consider supporting Tammy in her battle? Our donations will go towards cost of medical bills and co-pays, the cost of gas to and from the cancer cancer center where she will be receiving treatment (she has to drive 1.5 hours each way), rent, utilities, telephone, and health insurance. 

Whether it is $10, $100, or $1000--anything helps. If you are not in a place to give financially than please know that sharing this link or the GoFundMe page on facebook or instagram is more than enough. If you don't know Tammy than I am sure you know someone like her, someone who is or has fought as hard as they can against cancer. Maybe that was you. Maybe one day that will be me. Lets be in this together. 

Click this link to give: http://www.gofundme.com/nb7a14

xoxo,

Emily

One Year of Blogging

February is an exciting month as it marks the one year anniversary of The Gallivant! Read our first post here, and a little more about the inspiration behind the blog here.  Over the course of the past year of blogging The Gallivant has grown in ways I never expected and opened so many doors that I could not have foreseen--I feel very blessed. We have chronicled our first year of marriage and numerous adventures all over the country, and this blog has been a place for me to share about our journey through flight school so far, as well as encouraged me to fully immerse myself in all that Pensacola and the Gulf Coast have to offer. It has started numerous rich conversations, allowed me to reconnect with old friends, and start new friendships. It has  helped me to start a dialogue with other military wives, and pushed me, overall, to be more transparent with my life. 

I want to take today to say thank you to you--my dear readers. Every comment, email, and text has encouraged me in ways that you can't even imagine. It is hard to describe, but blogging can sometimes feel as though you are "shouting into the void," and it is so comforting and encouraging to know that there are people out there who are reading and engaging. Your support is what spurs me on. There are a lot of fantastic blogs out there, a lot of amazing and smart people doing incredible things, and the fact that you choose to spend some of your precious time here in this little corner of the web means the world. I am not a perfect blogger, I am not always consistent or timely, but I will keep striving, always, for authenticity versus perfection. 

It is my prayer that the Gallivant would continue to grow, (and thank you for sharing), but that it would always and ultimately point to The One who created and inspired first and most of all. 

Here is a recap of some of my favorite posts of the last year: 

Gallivants

• Our Honeymoon + 5 Honeymoon Tips
• Seaside, Fl
• Camping in the Blue Ridge Mountains + Essentials of Glamping
• North Shore, Massachusetts
• Londonderry, VT : Taylor Farm
• Bolton Valley, VT

Marriage

• Our Wedding
• Months 1, 2, 3, 4 &5, 7, 8, 9, 2.1
• Our One Year Anniversary
• On Marriage and Singleness
• Sarah and Scott's Spring Chicago Wedding
• Patience + Perseverance

Pensacola

• Nom Sushi Izakaya
• National Naval Aviation Museum
• The Cactus Flower
• The Magnolia
• Blueberry Picking
• The Blue Wahoos
• Bluetique

Navy + Flight School

• Navy Flight School Crash Course
• Life Of A Navy Wife + Goal for New Year
• The Past Few Weeks (API)
• An Update on All Fronts

Others

• Anatomy of a Casual Get Together
• Anatomy of a Cozy Guest Room
• 9 Best Gifts For New Moms Or Moms To-Be
• Lovely Living Rooms
• Homemade Blueberry and Cinnamon Scones
• Favorite Books of 2014

Happy Monday Friends, and thank you again. 

xoxo,

Emily

P.S. Like what you are reading? Go ahead and subscribe by entering your email address into the form on the left-hand side of this page so that you never miss a post! Or, you can follow me on Bloglovin. Also, follow along with The Gallivant on  pinterest, instagram,  and Twitter!

Lent: A Pause

Hello! Today was Ash Wednesday and as I went through my day I found myself reflecting on this season of Lent and asking myself how I was going to observe it this year. Throughout the day the same themes have been popping up in front of me: focus, discipline, thoughtfulness, humility, intentionality, sacrifice. With that in mind I am going to take the rest of the week off from blogging and prepare my heart, my mind, and my home for this season. 

“Ash Wednesday is for remembering our sin and humanity—for reflecting on our fallen state and our gaping NEED for a Saviour.”

— Raechel Myers | Jesus Keep Me Near The Cross: Day 1 | She Reads Truth

Looking for a way to meditate on Lent and what it means for us? I am excited to be using the new Lent study from She Reads Truth--definitely download the app if you are looking for a good devo. Not sure what Lent is  and want to know more? Feel free to email me via the contact form or comment below. 

See you back here on Monday!

xoxo,

Emily

{Marriage} 2.1

I love these monthly marriage updates not only because they are a great way for John and I to journal month to month, but also because they are a fun way to keep the Gallivant's amazing readers in the loop about whats going on with us--the nitty gritty version. Thanks for checking in!

Rockin' the windswept look...

Woohoo! First update of our second year of marriage!  Better late than never though, right? Read on for the latest Richey scoop...

Richey 2.1 Update

Favorite Meals: Anything made with Bison meat...random, right? Bison is super lean and good for you, but a little hard to source. Fortunately for us, our best friend Danny happened to take down a large Bison over the holidays, and has been bringing us a fresh supply of meat when he comes to visit. We love him. 

Favorite Words: Detachment, selection, move, weddings

Favorite Snacks: Popcorn with butter and a sprinkle of fresh lime juice. 

Favorite TV Shows: We started re-watching Friday Night Lights last month, and wow, have we missed Dylan, Texas. Clear eyes, full...you know the rest. And if you don't--Oh my friend, you are in for something good. 

Favorite Movie: American Sniper. Did you see it? We went with our friend Q when he was in town and it struck such raw but real chords in all of us. A thought provoking must-see, for sure. 

Currently Reading: Last month I started the Outlander series, and have been completely swept up in Claire and Jamie's life. John has been devouring Boys In The Boat, and cannot stop raving about it. 

Gallivants: We didn't do much gallivanting this month as we were mostly catching up after our big post-Christmas trip up to Boston and Vermont. At the end of the month, though, John headed off on a big adventure--his detachment to Roswell, New Mexico. More coming up on that in the next few days, but essentially he left for three weeks to finish up all of his Primary flights. I was a little sad to see him go, but so, so excited for him to get to fly 2-3 times a day (the weather in Roswell is a little more predictable than it is here at this time of year) and really focus on his last few weeks of Primary training. 

Meanwhile, in Pensacola: As we kicked off 2015, we headed straight back into busy work schedules. John has been cooking a ton, which has been awesome--he is a great cook, and loves to make healthy clean meals like bison and salmon. Not too shabby to come home to at the end of the day...We also took this quiz over dinner at our fave Mexican joint before he left for Det and loved it. I definitely recommend this to any couples looking for a fun date night activity--maybe over a candle-lit Valentines day dinner? 

As always, thanks for checking in with us! I hope you all have a lovely weekend and a wonderful Valentine's day. 

xoxo,

Emily

P.S. Like what you are reading? Go ahead and subscribe by entering your email address into the form on the left-hand side of this page so that you never miss a post! Or, you can follow me on Bloglovin. Also, follow along with The Gallivant on  pinterest, instagram,  and Twitter!

{Pensacola Eats + Drinks} Nom Sushi Izakaya

To my Pensacola friends--there is a new Japanese restaurant in town, and let me tell you..it's good. Phenomenal, even. Fellow sushi lovers, your prayers have been answered. 

I have been dying to check out Nom Sushi Izakaya for the past few months since it opened, and finally had the opportunity this weekend when my friend Haley was in town. We were down on  Palafox, and popped in for a late lunch. We raised our eyebrows as we sat down opposite each other in our booth and admired the zen space around us, wondering if we had been transported to hip neighborhood in NYC when we crossed over the door thresh hold. 

The menu is not crazy long, focusing primarily on sushi/nigiri/sashimi, with a small section of Izakaya, and three different ramen options. The sushi rolls are inspired, with an emphasis on fresh and unique ingredient,  rather than mayo based sauces and tempura, which has become so typical of American sushi. 

We ordered the Grafitti Bridge roll ( shrimp, avocado, cucumber, topped with blackened tuna tataki & spicy snow crab salad) as well as the vegan miso ramen. While I don't normally gravitate towards vegan options, our server encouraged us to forego the oh-so-trendy pork belly ramen and assured us that the vegan broth was by far the best broth in the house. It didn't disappoint. Rich and flavorful, the broth was teeming with mushrooms, kale, noodles, and ramen, and we couldn't slurp it up fast enough. (Note to self--bib next time.)

I had only heard good things about Nom before we went, and I was so thrilled to experience it firsthand and prove that it completely lives up to it's hype. Our food was delicious, our service was great, and the atmosphere is beyond cool. I can't wait to tow John there when he gets back! 

Nom would be a great spot for a fun Valentines date, so head down there this Saturday! Get there early though, because it is sure to be packed. 

Nom Sushi Izakaya, 410 S. Palafox St., Pensacola, FL, (850) 466 3125

xoxo,

Emily

P.S. Like what you are reading? Go ahead and subscribe by entering your email address into the form on the left-hand side of this page so that you never miss a post! Or, you can follow me on Bloglovin. Also, follow along with The Gallivant on  pinterest, instagram,  and Twitter!

Sunday Links

Wow! What a weekend! I apologize for being so MIA of late but John has been out of town for a couple of weeks on detachment, and my dear friend Haley came to visit this weekend. It was so amazing to see her and I didn't want to spend one second our precious time at my computer. I hope to be back in action this week though. Until then, here are some things that I loved from around the web this week!

• Love looks like this. 
• I know the Superbowl is long over (GO PATS,) and many of you may have seen this video, but on the off chance that you haven't and you are from New England than you have to watch...right now. Hilarious. 
• I have been loving Emily Henderson's styling videos for Target, especially this one about designing your bedroom. She is awesome and has such great tips for attainable interior design. 
• Have you heard about the article "To Fall In Love With Anyone, Do This" ? John and I asked each other the 36 questions over Mexican a few weeks ago and we really felt like we learned some things about each other that we didn't know. Plus, it was fun! Great date night activity.
• I have become mildly obsessed with ricotta (for no good reason other than that it is delicious) and I am hoping to make this for dessert later this week. 

Hope you all had as much fun with the people you love this weekend as I did. 

xoxo,

Emily

{Cook} Skinny Cauliflower Soup + A Secret Ingredient

All the talk of the snow up North has put me in a Wintry mood, so last week I whipped together this yummy soup and pretended it was a snow day. I love cauliflower soup, (I really love all soup) but sometimes it can be a bit boring, unless it's loaded with cream and butter. Well, seeing as bikini season is around the corner down here in Pensy, I went ahead and skipped the butter and cream but added a  different cheeky ingredient to boost richness and flavor: sherry! It adds a depth to the soup that just kicks it up and makes it feel a little decadent. Check out the recipe below, grab all your ingredients, and see for yourself! 

The Gallivant's Skinny Cauliflower Soup

Serves: 6

Ingredients: 

2 12oz bags of frozen cauliflower

4 cups of chicken broth

1/2 cup water

1 minced white onion

1 minced shallot

2 tbsp olive oil

1/4 cup Sherry

Directions: 

1. Cook cauliflower according to instructions on bag, save saucepan

2. Saute the onion and shallot in olive oil until softened and fragrant 

3. Put all ingredients except sherry in blender and blend until smooth (or just shy of smooth if you like a few chunks)

4. Pour into saucepan that you cooked cauliflower in, add sherry,  and heat on medium heat until just beginning to bubble, stirring every once in a while.

5. Pour into mugs and enjoy by a roaring fire (Lap top fires count)

Enjoy! 

xoxo,

Emily

PS. HOW BOUT THOSE PATS?! Did you watch? Most exciting 4 minutes of football I have seen in a while. 

P.S. Like what you are reading? Go ahead and subscribe by entering your email address into the form on the left-hand side of this page so that you never miss a post! Or, you can follow me on Bloglovin. Also, follow along with The Gallivant on  pinterest, instagram,  and Twitter!

{Gallivant} Bolton Valley, Vermont

Right after Christmas John and I headed up to Boston to celebrate my best friend Lindsey's engagement party. A few days later we drove up to Vermont with my parents, my brother, and his girlfriend to Bolton Valley, right outside of Burlington. John and I were pumped about this trip because skiing is one of our mutually favorite activities. Having both grown up in New England, we spent countless weekends hitting the slopes at various mountains all over New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont, and now that we don't live that close we always jump at the excuse to get up there and ski. 

I hadn't been there in a while, and John had never been, but my family has been skiing at Bolton for the past few years and they love it. While it may not be the biggest or fanciest resort in the area, (head to Smuggs or Stowe if you want all the bells and whistles) it makes up for it with it's cozy atmosphere, lack of lift lines, and over all "mom & pop" feel. Not to mention cruising trails, glades, a nordic center, terrain park, and sports center--there is something for everyone! 

We stayed in a condo right at the resort, and each morning we would make breakfast, sip our coffee, and then throw on our gear and walk five minutes up to the lift. (There is nothing I hate more than lugging my ski gear around, so this quick commute felt like a little luxury) There wasn't a record breaking amount of snow while we were there so not all 71 trails were open, but the ones that were were fantastic. We got a nice 2-3 inches of fresh powder each morning, and that combined with a great snow making system and an exceptional grooming team made for some pretty fantastic runs. There were a few icy spots, but this is New England skiing after all...

I don't always look this good on the slopes, but I lost my ski parka in my move to Pensacola last year so I was lucky enough to be able to borrow my mom's retro ski suit for this trip. Pretty retro, right?

After skiing we would often head up to the tavern in the main ski lodge where we would sit at the bar, warmed by the big stone fireplace, and sip one of the eighteen beers on tap, most of which were local. Bolton has become known for it's craft beers over the past few years, and even hosted its first beer fest last summer, known as Hop Jam. A couple of the nights we ate in our condo, but one night we headed down the road to Waterbury, where we had dinner at The Prohibition Pig. Speakeasy-themed, as the name suggests, the Pig was packed and the cocktails were excellent. If you go, which you should if you are in the area, get there early and sip a Heady Topper while you wait for your table. It's a cult favorite, and once you sip you will know why. Hoppity hop. 

John and I celebrated our first anniversary while we were up there, so another night we headed in up the road in the other direction to Richmond, where we ate at The Kitchen Table Bistro. Located in a historic farm house, the Kitchen Table Bistro is characterized by seasonal Vermont fare, and a lovely candle-lit atmosphere.  We had heard amazing things about it but we were still completely wowed by our food as well as the attentive service. We sat right next to a big bay window where we could see the snow coming down,  clinked our glasses of bubbly ( thanks Uncle George!) and  reflected on our first year of marriage as we tucked into our beef long rib (mine) and steak (his.) Both were to die for.  A very special evening indeed, and one we won't soon forget. 

We ended our trip by celebrating New Years at the mountain. Bolton had a torch lit parade down the mountain which, when the torch reached the bottom, set off a gorgeous fire works show. After the show we headed inside to the bar, grabbed some drinks, and headed into the brick oven pizza restaurant (did I mention that? Yumm) and rocked to the live band. It was a blast, and the lodge was milling with people who came to ring in the New Year. 

As we drove down the snowy mountainside the next day. headed back home, I thought about what really makes a ski trip. To me, its a mountain with fun and varied trails, good people to chat with on the lift, and a warm and cozy place to sit at night and have a good drink and a hot dinner. Bolton Valley far exceeds that criteria, and I love that it is still a mountain that you could learn like the back of your hand, staffed by people you could get to know.  We can't wait to go back. 

xoxo,

Emily

Bolton Valley, 4302 Bolton Valley Access Rd, Bolton Valley, VT 05477

This post is not sponsored, and all opinions are my own. 

P.S. Like what you are reading? Go ahead and subscribe by entering your email address into the form on the left-hand side of this page so that you never miss a post! Or, you can follow me on Bloglovin. Also, follow along with The Gallivant on  pinterest, instagram,  and Twitter!

{Marriage} One Year

Photo by Leah Haydock

This thing came and went and I never mentioned it on here: Our one year anniversary! We celebrated up in Vermont (where we were skiing with my family) by going to an amazing and romantic dinner and reflecting on the past year together. How time has flown! Since we got married last December we have turned our apartment into a cozy home, made so many new friends, started new jobs, and grown immensely as a couple. John and I spent some time talking about some things that we have learned in our first year of marriage and I wanted to share a few here. 

• Keeping score is poisonous. There is a temptation when you live with your partner to keep score ie. being acutely aware of how many times one has done the laundry vs the other, who takes the dog out more, who has been messier, etc.  Over the past year we have been working hard to call each other out lovingly on this, and communicate through the issues rather than letting resentment fester.  The quicker we nip this attitude in the bud, the less likely we are to bicker.
• Balance a budget one month at a time,  but be frugal 24/7. (John is way better than I am at this.)
• We each have our own unique set of expectations for everything. It has been fascinating to see how many things we naturally approach differently, whether from the way we grew up, or just because. It has been crucial to take time to talk through certain things, like holidays, in order to understand what is important to each other and how we can honor that. 
• Taking time for ourselves and being rooted in Jesus allows us to focus on serving each other. Conversely, when we haven't been spending enough time with Him  we tend to shift more into the "keeping score" attitude. 
• Things that seem small can make a huge impact on your day and time together. For John, it means the world to him to come home to a clean house. For me, I love when he makes dinner or folds the laundry.
• Expect curveballs from the military. They aren't always bad, but they will come. Be patient, embrace silver linings, and roll with it. 
• Routine is important. Over the past year our schedules have changed hugely from week to week. Having certain routines has helped us to stay in sync, feel balanced, and spend time with each other. We started running together this year and we also instated things like taking an hour each Sunday to tackle housework together. In the mornings John typically makes breakfast, and I make the coffee. At night, whoever doesn't cook does the dishes, and vice versa. 
• Marriage is an exercise in grace. In the past year John has seen me more broken and ugly than he ever did while we were dating, and I him. It just happens. Time after time, though, his forgiveness has awed me and shown me Jesus. Honesty: There are times when I have been nasty, and I can't believe it when he assures me that he forgives me. Each time he shows me grace, though,  it feels like our relationship gets a little deeper and more intimate. 

These things don't even fully scratch the surface of all that we have learned about each other and about marriage in the past year. Also, we are still so new at this.  I am certain we absolutely do not have it all figured out, but of this I am also sure: I love John (so, so, so imperfectly) more than I did a year ago, and through this covenant we, despite our sin,  are being drawn, day by day, closer to Jesus.

Happy Anniversary JB! You are the one my heart loves.

xoxo,

Emily

Blog: http://bostonweddingfilms.com/emily-john/ Emily and John are two extraordinary people who inspire through their appreciation for family and friends, their love of each other, shared values, and their honor of the Sword Arch. To quote their Pastor as stated in the close of their film, “it was a beautiful day for many reasons.” To Emily & John: What a wonderful way bring the year end and start new beginnings. This day was filled with the warmth and feeling of joy that can only come from people who understand the treasured gift of being with family and friends. Thank you for trusting us and including us in something as special and wonderful as your wedding! Congratulations, Jim, Jason, Dorian, Mike and Whit

(Movie by Boston Wedding Films)

P.S. I haven't written one for the past few months, but I have gotten really positive feedback about our marriage updates (sort of the Richey version of "life lately" that chronicled our first year) so I am going to continue them as we move into our second year! Lots of big stuff coming up this year including John's selection (where he learns what aircraft he will fly) and our first big move. Stay tuned!

P.S.S. New to The Gallivant?  Check out Month 1, Month 2, Month 3, Month 4 & 5, Month 7,  Month 8, Month 9.

{Pensacola Do} National Naval Aviation Museum

One of our best friends, Quentin, came to visit last week and we were so excited to hang out, catch up, and show him around Pensacola. Over the past year we have discovered so many fun things to do around here, but when we have guests we always make it a priority to take them to the National Naval Aviation Museum , because it is such a fun and hands-on  way to learn about Navy aviation, both past and present. 

The museum, which is located at NAS Pensacola. has more than 150 aircraft on display, which represent Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard aviation. It also has some neat dioramas, as well as an IMAX theatre where they screen a bunch of different movies, including our fave --The Magic of Flight--which is all about the Blue Angels. 

When we first moved to Pensy I was totally overwhelmed by trying to learn all the aviation lingo and different aircraft. Going to the museum for the first time and  seeing all of the different planes and helos in person that were an option for John later in his career was so helpful in the learning process. If anyone reading this is in the same boat I cannot recommend a trip enough. 

While I have been to the museum a bunch of times now, I never get sick of hearing John explain all of the different aircraft and aviation history. Not only is it fun to see him get so fired up, but he just knows so much...it totally blows me away. It is also neat for our friends to see his training aircraft, like the T-6, and for us to be able to point out the various different aircraft that our friends fly, instead of just trying to explain it when they come up in conversation. 

(While John briefed Q on some history I kicked back in a  cockpit for a sec and interjected Top Gun jokes whenever possible.  )

Not only is the museum fascinating for us, but it would also be a great place to take kids of all ages! They have a cute little play area, as well as camps during the summer and simulators that older kids would love. Also, there are always tons of sweet older veterans who give great free tours of both hangers. And finally, the best part, admission is free!

Follow @evr_thegallivant on instagram to see an excellent side by side comparison of Q and Tom Cruise in Top Gun...he has waited his whole life to take the shot. You are welcome, Quentin. And then head to the Aviation Museum yourself to take your own! 

National Naval Aviation Museum, 1750 Radford Blvd., Pensacola, FL 32506.

Happy Monday!

xoxo,

Emily

P.S. Like what you are reading? Go ahead and subscribe by entering your email address into the form on the left-hand side of this page so that you never miss a post! Or, you can follow me on Bloglovin. Also, follow along with The Gallivant on  pinterest, instagram,  and Twitter!

Weekend Links

Hingham, Massachusetts | Photo by Author

Cheers to the weekend!  John is making dinner tonight (yay!) and then I am headed over to a friends house for a girls wine night (double yay!.) Doesn't it feel like January is just flying by? I can't get over it. We have been busy, so I am excited to sleep in tomorrow before church, and spend some quality time with John. What is everyone else up to?

Here are some fun things from around the web this week that caught my eye: 

• My friend Jessica turned me onto snacking on chia seeds soaked in almond milk instead of yogurt, and I have been loving it! Totally weird, but shockingly yummy--I mix in a little maple syrup and cinnamon. This version looks great. 
• Love this short and sweet guide to Boston--It is so fun to see the city through fresh eyes, and I can't wait to check out some of these places next time we are up north!
• Who did you think was the best dressed at the Golden Globes? There were so many amazing outfits, but I thought Emma Stone just killed it. See her look here. 
• The cast of the West Wing got back together for Big Block of Cheese Day and it made me giggle. 
• I am looking forward to binge-watching this show (again) this weekend. It never gets old. 

Have a great weekend!

xoxo,

Emily

{Gallivant Reads} Favorite Books of 2014

Happy Monday! One of my New Year goals, year after year, is to keep tackling books on my must-read list (which is both virtual, and perpetually piled next to my bed.) Anyone else feel the same way? I read an array of different books in 2014, of all sorts of genres and topics, both low-brow and high-brow, and compiled a list of some of my faves today.  If anyone is looking for a good read to dig into this week after work than definitely keep reading! 

1. The Summer Queen by Elizabeth Chadwick

Eleanor of Aquitaine was a force, especially for her day and age. Chadwick does a great job bringing her to life, while staying historically accurate. If you like historical fiction, you will love this. 

2. Mad About The Boy by Helen Fielding

Any Bridget Jones fans out there? 14 years later, Fielding has come through with a third installment to the series, and it was as hilarious as ever--despite a major twist. Bridg is my guilty pleasure, and I inhaled this in about three days, giggling all the way. Definitely a light read, but a witty one none-the-less.

3. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

While some may call TFIOS Teen-lit, I say it's important, and shed's amazing perspective on what it is like to have a terminal illness. Read more about my thoughts here.

4. The Josephine B. Trilogy by Sandra Gulland

Loved this series. Read my review here. Thank you to my SIL for the great rec!

5. Atonement by Ian McEwan

I am a big McEwan fan, despite the fact that it has taken me so long to read one of his better known books. It's a little dreary and tortured, but so beautifully written. 

6. This is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper

Looking for wonky family dynamics (aka relatable) and laughs? This is it. 

7. The Vacationers by Emma Straub

A bit cynical (such is the world,) but set in the lovely setting of Mallorca, and packing some fun plot twists and turns as a family processes their individual personal crises while on vacation. 

8. On Writing by Stephen King

This book is a must for any kind of creative, not just writers. So Good. Read more here. 

Ready to get your read on?  Go ahead and click on any of the title links to go straight to Amazon and either buy the hard copy or download the kindle version to get immediately stuck in! Also, if you are/have read anything great recently than let us know in the comments! Currently I am addicted to the Outlander series, but next on my list is Where'd You Go, Bernadette. Have you read it? What did you think?

Cheers!

Emily

P.S. Like what you are reading? Go ahead and subscribe by entering your email address into the form on the left-hand side of this page so that you never miss a post! Or, you can follow me on Bloglovin. Also, follow along with The Gallivant on  pinterest, instagram,  and Twitter!